The storylines to follow throughout the 2026 Daytona 500

Here’s all the major storylines you want to keep watch over during the 68th working of the Daytona 500:

Brad Keselowski manages a leg injury

Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford

The 42-year-old broke his femur during the low season, and arrived to Daytona with a strolling cane. While there may be still pain, he has every intention of working all 500 miles on Sunday. However, David Ragan is on standby…just in case.

Pole-sitter Kyle Busch and the one trophy lacking from his case

Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

It looks as if we are saying this every season at Daytona, however is it lastly KB’s 12 months? He is dealing with the longest winless streak of his profession, however before this drought, Busch managed to win just about all the things there may be to win in NASCAR — besides the 500. He is 0-20 in NASCAR’s largest race, and he now hopes to be the first pole-sitter to win the event in 26 years.

Can Byron make historical past with the three-peat?

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Only 5 drivers have ever gained back-to-back Daytona 500s, however nobody has ever gained three in succession. But that’s the unprecedented achievement sitting in entrance of Byron, who will start thirty ninth in a backup automobile after wrecking in his Duel qualifying race. Of the other 4 drivers who had a shot at the three-peat, Hamlin did the best, ending fifth.

The Daytona 500 debut of Heim and Zilisch

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

NASCAR’s two largest rising stars are working the 500 for the very first time of their careers, and it will not be onerous to spot them on observe — Zilisch in those iconic Red Bull colours, and Heim in his neon yellow No. 67 machine. Both are hoping to depart their mark on Sunday, and for Zilisch, it is the start of his first full season of Cup Series competitors.

The added significance of stage factors

NASCAR Cup Series hauler

The Chase is again while win and also you’re in is gone. That means factors are more important than they have been in over a decade, and the fight for stage factors just bought even more intense. Keep an eye fixed on those final laps in Stage 1 and Stage 2, as they’re seemingly to be practically as wild as the end.

Fuel-saving in the pack, and bother at pit entry

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford

Just like current years, you may count on plenty of fuel-saving throughout the race. Drivers and followers do not prefer it, nevertheless it’s essential to win a contemporary Daytona 500. The area will seemingly fan out three-wide in the early laps, however it is going to be very managed as they fastidiously handle their gas mileage. Also, there’s the very real hazard of the first incidents of the race breaking out at pit entry, as diving from the pack to pit highway has led to numerous wrecks over the years — including earlier this week in the Duels.

The underdogs made it, now what?

Casey Mears after making the Daytona 500

Casey Mears and BJ McLeod beat the odds — they’re in the Daytona 500. Mears’ team spent days fixing his torn up race automobile, while McLeod picked up a sponsor after his unlikely journey into the area. But now the real work begins. Being in the race is its personal victory, however they did not come right here to end last. It can be attention-grabbing to see if both of these two could make some noise in the 68th working of NASCAR’s largest race.

Threat of climate derailing the race

Daytona 500 brand

An unlucky storyline entails Mother Nature. Storms are approaching, and NASCAR already pushed up the start time by an hour. It can be a race against time, as the 500 has been postponed to Monday a number of occasions lately. It has been rain-shortened 4 occasions before as nicely, however that hasn’t occurred since 2009. Watch for NASCAR to expedite warning intervals and for drivers to race even more aggressively as soon as the race reaches the midway point. Oh, and there is concern about the anticipated hotter temperatures and the dealing with points it may trigger throughout the area, so another weather-related angle to watch carefully.

Unknowns round new Chevrolet physique

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Chevy has a new, sleeker design for the 2026 season. And while there’s quite a bit to focus on with regard to the upgrades, the main story on Sunday can be about how good it may well push. Every major wreck in the Duels got here off the nostril of a Chevy, and other drivers could also be cautious about them because of that.

Manufacturer loyalty

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford

Toyotas, Fords, and Chevys will maintain to their very own for the most half during green-flag pit stops, and as they navigate the pack to get the upperhand on their rivals. However, those loyalties are always examined and alliances collapse in the closing laps of NASCAR’s largest race.

Can Preece carry Clash momentum into the 500, and keep on the floor?

Clash winner Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Ford

Ryan Preece has 223 begins in the Cup Series, however zero wins. However, he also just gained the pre-season exhibition race at Bowman Gray in an emotional triumph for the former Modified Tour champion. He has had a busy week, racing in New Smyrna before heading to Daytona, the place he led the method in Daytona 500 observe. Maybe he can get that first official win in NASCAR’s largest race, however he’ll seemingly be joyful to depart without retreating, as Preece has suffered two violent airborne wrecks at Daytona in the last three years alone. The good news is that the new flaps on the A-pillar seem to be working nicely in limiting air time for Next Gen automobiles.

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The storylines to follow throughout the 2026 Daytona 500